MLK Event Features Student Performances, Videos, Awards & Tribute to Chairwoman Dr. Myrtle Hightower

Hundreds of students, educators and community leaders attended Plano ISD's January 20 Martin Luther King, Jr., tribute to celebrate the work of Dr. King and the diversity in our community. The event spotlighted students with a parade of nations, musical entertainment, emcees, essay readings and awards for MLK art contest winners, including Plano Senior High School's Susan Bin, who is pictured above with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto and School Board President Skip Jenkins, and diversity leadership winners. This year, a tribute was held in honor of event chair Dr. Myrtle Hightower. View event videos and read the full story online.

January 18 Meeting ~ In response to the difficult economic climate and in anticipation of dramatic cuts in state funding, the Plano ISD Board of Trustees declared that a financial exigency exists and, on January 18, voted to approve a reduction in force (RIF). Initial steps in that direction resulted in reductions estimated at $1.4 million in administration and support services.

Additionally, at their January 18 meeting, trustees took the following action. Links to the complete agenda on BoardBook.

• Recognitions ~ School Board Recognition Month and Texas Business and Education Coalition Honor Roll Schools
• Consent Agenda ~ Bids, purchases, construction, recommended fiscal year 2011 budget amendments for January 2011 and actual expenditures as of January 6, 2011, surplus disposal and approval of property tax refunds recommended by Collin County Tax Office.
• Authorization of Reduction in Force (RIF)
• Employment Areas to be Affected by Reduction in Force (RIF)
• Update/Status Reports
  • Board Member Liaison Report
  • Budget Report
  • Demographic and Enrollment Report
• Policy Adoptions
  • BE(LOCAL) - Board Meetings (second reading)
  • BF(LOCAL) - Board Policies (second reading)
  • FMH(LOCAL) - Student Activities: Commencement (second reading)
  • FNAA(LOCAL) - Student Expression: Distribution of Nonschool Literature (first reading)

Streamed, indexed videos of the meeting can be viewed on the district website. An edited version of the meeting can be viewed on Plano Time-Warner Cable Channel 99 and Verizon FIOS 33 at 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays; and on Saturdays at noon and 8 p.m.

February 1 Meeting ~ The next board meeting will be 7:00 p.m. on February 1 at the Plano ISD Administration Building. The agenda, with supporting documents, will be posted this week on BoardBook.